They are not not expected to issue a joint statement following the meeting. But the Yonhap news agency reports a South Korean spokesman said the three diplomats would end talks Wednesday with a news conference.

Tensions between Tokyo and Beijing have been especially high as territorial disputes escalate over islands known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.

Chinese officials have also expressed discontent with South Korea, which is hosting the U.S. missile defense system known as THAAD, aimed at intercepting North Korean missiles.

But Beijing has voiced concern the system is intended to build up American power in the region and that its powerful radar system will be used to monitor China's military activities in northeast Asia.

North Korea will likely be a main point of conversation at the meeting, though opinions on how to deal with Pyongyang's missile development differ between the three countries.